Apparatus and method for providing a game of chance at point of sale

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing a game of chance at a point of sale, comprising a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, microcode encoded in the memory, wherein the processor utilizes the microcode to operate the apparatus, instructions written to the memory, wherein the instructions encode a game of chance, a visual display device in communication with the processor, wherein the processor can utilize the instructions to display results of the game of chance on the visual display device. A method to promote the sale of a product using the apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 60/890,187, filed Feb. 15, 2007. U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 60/890,187 is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a game of chance at point of sale

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Merchants have utilizes a wide variety of methods to encourage buyers to purchase certain products. It is known in the art to sell certain products at very low prices, i.e. “loss leaders,” to entice consumers to enter a retail establishment. Hopefully, those consumers will purchase additional products in addition to the loss leader products.

What is needed is a method to automatically reward consumers with a free game of chance if those consumers purchase certain designated products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant's invention comprises an apparatus for providing a game of chance at a point of sale, comprising a processor, a memory in communication with the processor, microcode encoded in the memory, wherein the processor utilizes the microcode to operate the apparatus, instructions written to the memory, wherein the instructions encode a game of chance, a visual display device in communication with the processor, wherein the processor can utilize the instructions to display results of the game of chance on the visual display device.

The invention further comprises a method to promote the sale of a product using the apparatus. The method comprises the steps of purchasing by a buyer a participating product, activating the game of chance encoded in Applicant's apparatus, and communicating the results of that game of chance to the buyer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference designators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A block diagram showing one embodiment of Applicant's apparatus;

FIG. 1B illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1A in communication with an external computing device;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of Applicant's apparatus;

FIG. 2B illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 2A in wireless communication with an external computing device;

FIG. 3 illustrates the device of FIG. 1A or 2A interfaced with a cash register;

FIG. 4 illustrates the device of FIG. 1A or 2A interfaced with a vending machine; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the device of FIG. 1A or 2A interfaced with a game console.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Applicant's invention comprises an apparatus for providing a game of chance at the point of sale. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a processor that implements a game of chance encoded in Applicant's apparatus, a visual display device that displays the results of that game, and optionally an audio speaker assembly, wherein a game activator send a signal to the processor to initiate the game when participating goods and/or services (collectively “Participating Products” hereinafter) are purchased. “At the point of sale” is defined as the time and place when and where a buyer purchases one or more Participating Products.

In certain embodiments, Applicant's method comprises the steps of purchasing by a buyer a Participating Product, activating the game of chance encoded in Applicant's apparatus, and communicating the results of that game of chance to the buyer. In some embodiments, the purchase of a single Participating Product entitles a buyer to one activation of the game, or one play. In certain embodiments, if a buyer purchases ten Participating Products, then the buyer is entitled to ten activations, or ten plays. In some embodiments, the purchase of a single Participating Product entitles a buyer to more than one activation of the game, i.e., more than one play. For example, a purchase of a single Participating Product entitles a buyer to three games.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5) comprises a housing 105, a processor 110 disposed within housing 105, memory 120 disposed within housing 105, microcode 122 encoded in memory 120, and instructions 124 encoded in memory 120. Processor 110 utilizes microcode 122 to operate apparatus 100. Instructions 124 encode a game of chance. In certain embodiments, processor 110, memory 120, microcode 122, and instructions 124 are disposed in an integrated device, such as and without limitation an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”).

Communication links 112 and 114 are in interconnected with processor 110, and provide an interface between Applicant's apparatus and an electronic apparatus and/or mechanical device (collectively an “electromechanical device”). Communication links 122 and 124 may utilize any input output (“I/O”) protocol, such as and without limitation a wireless protocol, a serial interconnection, such as RS-232 or RS-422, an ethernet interconnection, a SCSI interconnection, an iSCSI interconnection, a Gigabit Ethernet interconnection, a Bluetooth interconnection, a Fibre Channel interconnection, an ESCON interconnection, a FICON interconnection, a Local Area Network (LAN), a private Wide Area Network (WAN), a public wide area network, Storage Area Network (SAN), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the Internet, and combinations thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1B, computing device 150 is shown in communication with memory 120 via I/O protocol 155. Instructions 170 encoded in memory 160 disposed on computing device 150 can be downloaded to memory 120 in Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5). In certain embodiments, instructions 170 comprises an upgraded version of the game encoded by instructions 124.

In certain embodiments, instructions 124 comprise a cycle counter and a maximum cycle count. Each time processor 110 utilizes instructions 124 to display the encoded game of chance, the cycle counter is incremented by unity, i.e. by 1. When the cycle count equals the maximum cycle count processor 110 can no longer utilize instructions 124 to display the game of chance on the visual display device. In these cycle-limited embodiments, instructions 170 encode the same game as do instructions 124, however instructions 170 comprise a cycle counter set to 0.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, Applicant's apparatus 200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) comprises the elements of Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5) in addition to first wireless communication hardware 210 in combination with complimentary firmware and software encoded in processor 110 and/or memory 120. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2A, Applicant's apparatus 200 optionally further comprises second wireless communication hardware 220 in combination with complimentary firmware and software encoded in processor 110 and/or memory 120. In certain embodiments, the first wireless communication hardware, firmware, and software utilizes and implements Blue Tooth wireless communication. In certain embodiments, the second wireless communication hardware, firmware, and software utilizes and implements “WI-FI” wireless communication. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2B, computing device 150 is shown downloading instructions 170 to Applicant's apparatus 200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) wirelessly.

In certain embodiments, Applicant's first wireless protocol and/or second wireless protocol are compliant with one or more of the embodiments of IEEE Specification 802.11 (collectively the “IEEE Specification”). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the IEEE Specification comprises a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN technology.

The IEEE Specification specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client, such as for Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5) or 200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5), and a wirelessly interfaced electromechanical device. The IEEE accepted the IEEE Specification in 1997. There are several specifications in the 802.11 family, including (i) specification 802.11 which applies to wireless LANs and provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band using either frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS); (ii) specification 802.11a which comprises an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5 GHz band using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing encoding scheme rather than FHSS or DSSS; (iii) specification 802.11b, sometimes referred to as 802.11 High Rate or Wi-Fi, which comprises an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANS and provides up to about 11 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band; and/or (iv) specification 802.11g which applies to wireless LANs and provides 20+ Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.

Applicant's apparatus may interface with an electromechanical device. In certain embodiments, the game activator may comprise an electronic and/or mechanical device disposed in the interfaced electromechanical device, such as and without limitation a game button, cash register button, a pull bar, a knob, and the like. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5)/200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) can be operably interfaced with a pin ball machine. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100/200 can be operably interfaced with a cash register. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100/200 can be operably interfaced with a vending machine. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5)/200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) can be operably interfaced with a pool table. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100/200 can be operably interfaced with a video game. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100/200 can be operably interfaced with a game console.

For example and referring now to FIG. 3, Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5)/200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) is shown interfaced with cash register 300. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, processor 110 disposed in Applicant's apparatus 100 is interconnected with processor 310 disposed in cash register 300 via communication links 112 and 114. When a customer purchases a Participating Product, the merchant operates cash register 300 such that processor 310 alerts processor 110, and processor 10 initiates a game of chance encoded by instructions 124. The results of that game of change are displayed on visual display device 130. In certain embodiments, processor 110 also causes speaker assembly 140 is emit audible signals.

Referring now to FIG. 4, Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5)/200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) is shown interfaced with vending machine 400. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, processor 110 disposed in Applicant's apparatus 100 is interconnected with processor 410 disposed in vending machine 400 via communication links 112 and 114. When a customer purchases a Participating Product, such as product 420, by disposing a proper amount of cash, coins, or credit authorization, into payment slot 430, and depressing button 425 or pulling rod 425, a signal is sent via one or more of communication links 112/114 to processor 110, and processor 110 initiates a game of chance encoded by instructions 124. The results of that game of change are displayed on visual display device 130. In certain embodiments, processor 110 also causes speaker assembly 140 is emit audible signals.

Participating Products are designated or selected by a merchant, whereby a purchase of such Participating Products will entitle a buyer to one or more activations of Applicant's interfaced apparatus. Accordingly, a purchase of goods and/or services that are not Participating Products will not entitle a buyer to an activation of Applicant's apparatus.

In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5) and/or 200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) is sold to merchants. In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus 100 and/or 200 is leased to merchants. In certain embodiments, a merchant desires to increase either the number of sales, and/or the rate of sales, of Participating Products by use of the purchased/leased apparatus 100/200. Participating Products may comprise consumable items. For example, the Participating Products may comprise grocery items such as fruits, vegetable, meats, dairy products, and/or bottled water. In certain embodiments, Participating Products comprise petroleum products, such as gasoline, motor oil, kerosene, and the like.

In certain embodiments, Participating Products comprise consumer items, such as toys, electronics, furniture, and the like. In certain embodiments, Participating Products may comprise a combination of consumer goods.

In some embodiments, Participating Products comprise a minimum quantity or volume of a product. For example, Participating Products may comprise 5 gallons or more of gasoline. In certain embodiments, Participating Products may be labeled in such as a way as to indicate to consumers that a purchase of the product entitled the buyer to a free game of chance.

Applicant's invention comprises a method to promote the sale of a Participating Product by a merchant. The merchant selects one or more Participating Products. When a consumer purchases a Participating Product, the merchant activates Applicant's apparatus, which visually and/or audibly displays the results of a game of chance. In certain embodiments, the displayed results entitle the consumer to an award of cash. In certain embodiments, the displayed results entitle the consumer to an award of merchandise. In certain embodiments, the displayed results entitle the consumer to an award of services, such as and without limitation a free car wash, a massage, and the like.

In certain embodiments, Applicant's apparatus is functionally interfaced with a game console that already comprises instructions to implement one or more games. For example and referring now to FIG. 5, game console 505 comprises buttons, 510, 515, 520, and 525, visual display device 530, and optionally speaker 540. Game console 505 encodes one or more existing games, wherein activation of those existing games causes a display to appear on visual display device 530. Such a display may propound some sort of question in combination with, for example, 4 possible answers. A user chooses one of the possible answers by selecting and pressing button 510, 515, 520, or 525.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, game console further comprises Applicant's game board 500. Game board 500 comprises Applicant's processor 110, memory 120, microcode 122, and instructions 124. In certain embodiments, processor 110, memory 120, microcode 122, and instructions 124 comprise an integrated ASIC.

In certain embodiments, if a user correctly answers a question displayed on visual display device 530, game console sends a signal to processor 110, and processor 110 implements the game of change encoded by instructions 124.

In certain embodiments, Applicant's game board 500 is removeably disposed in game console 505. Game board 500 can be removed from game console 505, and instructions 124 replaced or reset as needed. A modified/reset game board 500, or a new game board 500, can be disposed in game console 505.

Whether using Applicant's apparatus 100 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5), or Applicant's apparatus 200 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5), or Applicant's game board 500. In some embodiments the game of chance encoded by instructions 124 comprises a card game. In certain embodiments, seven cards may be displayed on visual display device 130 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the faces of the cards are immediately shown on the monitor upon activation of the game. In some embodiments, the faces of the cards are not shown initially, but are subsequently revealed (simultaneously or sequentially) via, for example, an animated hand scratching off a layer covering the faces of the cards. In some embodiments, a winning hand from the seven cards game displayed on the monitor includes a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, two pair, pair, or high card.

In some embodiments, the instructions 124 (FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4, 5) encode a game of chance programmed for playing a defined and limited number of games, and will payout a predetermined number of winning hands, with a predetermined amount of money for each winning hand. After the limited number of games has been played, instructions 124 must be replaced or reset. In certain embodiments, instructions the resetting may be achieved via, for example, replacing the expired game program board with a new one.

In some embodiments, the game is an instant sweepstakes game, e.g., instant sweepstakes point of sale game. In some embodiments, the apparatus for providing a game of chance functions as a cash register that is programmed for playing a 100,000 Texas Hold 'Em seven card games. In some embodiments, the predetermined winning hands and predetermined amount of money for each winning hand is shown below:

1. Royal Flush

The best possible hand: Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit (ex: A♦, K♦, Q♦, J♦, T♦, 2

, 4

) (five winners will be awarded $1,000 each) Total $5,000;

2. Straight Flush

Any five-card sequence in the same suit (ex. 8

, 9

, T

, J

, Q

, A♦, K♦) (twenty winners will be awarded $500 each) Total $10,000;

3. Four of a Kind

All four cards of the same value (ex. 8♦, 8♡, 8

, 8

, A♦, J

and Q

) (twenty winners will be awarded $125 each) Total $2500;

4. Full House

Three of a kind combined with a pair (ex. T

, T♦, T♡ with 6

, 6♦, J

and Q

) (sixty winners will be awarded $100 each) Total $6,000;

5. Flush

Any five non-sequential cards of the same suit (ex. 2

, 4

, 5

, 7

, and T

, A♦, K♦) (sixty winners will be awarded $50 each) Total $3,000;

6. Straight

Five cards in sequence, but not in the same suit (ex. 7

, 8

, 9♦, T

, and J♡, A♦, K♦) (Eighty winners will be awarded $25 each) Total $2,000;

7. Three of a Kind

Three cards of the same value (ex. J

, J♡, J

, 7

, 8

, 9♦, 3♦) (five hundred winners will be awarded $10 each) Total $5,000;

8. Two Pair

Two separate pairs (ex. 3♦, 3

, and Q♡, Q♦, 8

, 9

, T

) (Two Thousand winners will be awarded $5 each) Total $10,000;

9. Pair

Two cards of the same value (ex. 7

, 7♦, K♦, Q♦, J♦, 8

, 2

) (five thousand winners will be awarded $2 each) Total $10,000;

10. High Card

If a hand contains none of the above combinations, it's valued by the highest card in it. (A♦, K♦, Q♦, J♦, 2

, 4

, 5

) THE ACE IS HIGH CARD (two thousand five hundred winners will be awarded $1 each) Total $2,500. The ace of spades is always the high card.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. An apparatus for providing a game of chance at a point of sale, comprising: a processor; a memory in communication with said processor; microcode encoded in said memory, wherein said processor utilizes said microcode to operate said apparatus; instructions written to said memory, wherein said instructions encode a game of chance; a visual display device in communication with said processor; wherein said processor can utilize said instructions to display results of said game of chance on said visual display device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein: said processor and said memory are disposed within said housing; said visual display device is disposed on said housing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor, said memory, said microcode, and said instructions, are embodied in an application specific integrated circuit.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said instructions comprise a cycle counter and a maximum cycle count; every time said processor utilizes said instructions to display said game of chance said cycle counter is incremented by unity; when said cycle count equals said maximum cycle count said processor cannot utilize said instructions to display said game of chance on said visual display device.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said game of chance comprises a card game.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more communication links in communication with said processor, wherein said communication links can interconnect said apparatus with an electromechanical device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electromechanical device comprises a cash register.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electromechanical device comprises a vending machine.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electromechanical device comprises a game console.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electromechanical device comprises a gasoline pump meter.
 11. A method to promote the sale of a product, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising a processor, a memory in communication with said processor, microcode encoded in said memory, wherein said processor utilizes said microcode to operate said apparatus, instructions written to said memory, wherein said instructions encode a game of chance, a visual display device in communication with said processor; designating a participating product; upon purchase of said participating product by a consumer, causing said processor to utilize said instructions to generate and display on said visual display device game of chance results.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: operative if said game of chance results entitle said consumer to an award of cash, proffering to said consumer said award of cash; operative if said game of chance results entitle said consumer to an award of merchandise, proffering to said consumer said award of merchandise.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said apparatus further comprises a housing, wherein: said processor and said memory are disposed within said housing; said visual display device is disposed on said housing.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said processor, said memory, said microcode, and said instructions, are embodied in an application specific integrated circuit.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein: said instructions comprise a cycle counter and a maximum cycle count; every time said processor utilizes said instructions to display said game of chance said cycle counter is incremented by unity; when said cycle count equals said maximum cycle count said processor cannot utilize said instructions to display said game of chance on said visual display device.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein said game of chance comprises a card game.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more communication links in communication with said processor, wherein said communication links interconnects said apparatus with an electromechanical device.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein: said electromechanical device comprises a cash register; wherein said causing step further comprises sending a signal from said cash register to said processor.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein: said electromechanical device comprises a vending machine; wherein said causing step further comprises sending a signal from said vending machine to said processor.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein: said electromechanical device comprises a gasoline pump meter; wherein said causing step further comprises sending a signal from said gasoline pump meter to said processor. 